South Sudan’s first birthday

On the 9 July the world’s newest country celebrates its first birthday. After four decades of war, the Republic of South Sudan won independence last year but a year on its people dreams of peace and prosperity lie in tatters.

Last year I travelled to southern Sudan before the long awaited election and met many returnees – those who had fled the war to Khartoum – and were now making the journey south to be a part of what they hoped would be a new country and a fresh start. Many of the people I met had been born in the north and had no idea what they were coming ‘home’ to.

This photo story was published by the BBC last year in the run up to the elections. I just wonder what the people I met then are doing now. I just hope that not all of their dreams have been shattered.